When the news came out late last week that Burt Reynolds had been in rehab for painkiller addiction, reports suggested previous drug abuse in the 1980s, “after he was diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder, a painful condition which affected his jaw.” The drug was Halcion.
Why a sleep med for dealing with TMD?
If a person has the habit of nighttime clenching and bruxing (grinding the teeth from side to side), this can lead to or intensify the effects of TMD. We presume anti-anxiety and sleep drugs may be given to try to reduce the behavior that increases pain and discomfort.
We don’t think “drug therapy” of any kind is a good way for dealing with TMD – even as painkillers, antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs may give temporary relief from symptoms. Drugs add to the overall toxic body burden and increase the risk of greater health problems down the line. Of course, they also have their immediate risks, as well, via so-called “side effects.” Really, it would be more appropriate to call them “direct effects.” The drug causes them directly; they’re just not the preferred effects.
As an interesting side note, some drugs can actually cause conditions that lead to TMD – most notably Prozac and other SSRIs. Some who have never clenched or bruxed before develop the habit upon taking these drugs.
Most times, TMD can be treated through the use of night guards, orthodontic devices to realign the bite and other nontoxic, non-invasive measures. If immediate pain relief is needed, a wide variety of homeopathics, herbs and nutritional supplements may be used. Neural therapy, acupuncture and various types of body work (e.g., therapeutic massage, Rolfing) can also help alleviate pain without the use of drugs…which seem inevitably to do more harm than good.
We wish Mr. Reynolds the best to as he adapts to a new and – we hope – drug-free life.
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